Armstrong Fifth in Return to Triathlon

Race was cyclist's first tri in 23 years

Lance Armstrong entered a triathlon for the first time in 23 years on Saturday and finished fifth, losing ground to eventual winner Nicolas Lebrun on the bike leg at XTERRA USA Championship in Utah. Armstrong had settled into third place for most of the race before dropping to fifth behind France's Lebrun, who claimed his second XTERRA title in three years. "I caught Lance on the bike,” Lebrun said. “I said ‘I’m passing Lance on the bike, is this a dream?’ That was my first victory of the day." Armstrong said he hadn't expected to win. "At 40 years old, I guess I could have gone home and drank beer and played golf all day long," he said. "But it’s cool to come out here and test yourself, and also just support a sport that I think is really cool." Also finishing in front Armstrong were four-time XTERRA world champion Conrad Stoltz and five-time national champ Josiah Middaugh, who finished forth and third, respectively. Dan Hugo of South Africa finished second. Armstrong said he would "probably" do another XTERRA. "Now's not the time to ask," he said laughing. "It was hard, very hard."

Our Mission

To inspire active participation in the world outside through award-winning coverage of the sports, people, places, adventure, discoveries, health and fitness, gear and apparel, trends and events that make up an active lifestyle.